[DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department
publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime
intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No
attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or
opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

GERMAN
105-MM HOLLOW-CHARGE SHELL

The use of hollow-charge ammunition by the Axis armies was referred to
in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 18, p. 27.

The following description and accompanying sketch will serve to bring
out some details covering the German 105-mm (4.13 in)
hollow-charge shell called the 10-cmGr 39. This
ammunition is used in the German 105-mm gun howitzer.

a. General

Weight, filled, unfuzed

25 lb 7 1/8 oz

Weight, filled, fuzed

25 lb 9 oz

Weight,bursting charge

3 lb 14 5/8 oz

Penetration (estimated)

Homogeneous armor

3.15 in at 30°

Homogeneous armor

3.74 in at normal

Color

Olive green, red band above rotating band.

An interesting point in the design of this shell is the shape of the
cavity in the nose, which differs from that of the 75-mm
hollow-charge shell (see Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 19,
p. 27). In the latter case the cavity is cylindrical for the greater
part of its length, being rounded off at the rear. In this case the cavity
is conical except at the extreme rear, which, too, is rounded.

b. Method of Filling

The charge is supported on a ring of moulded plastic material fitting the
base of the shell cavity. The charge, together with the plastic ring, central
tube and cavity liner fits into a waxed paper container. It is probable
that the charge is loaded into a hot shell lined with a bituminous composition
to keep the filling firm.

c. Bursting Charge

The bursting charge consists of three pellets of cyclotol (TNT) wax, hot
pressed, details of which are:

Composition

Weight

Density

Cyclotol

TNT

Montan Wax

Nose

561 gm (19 oz 12.5 dr)

1.56

57.7%

39.6%

2.7%

Middle

720 gm (25 oz 6.25 dr)

1.58

57.1%

39.8%

3.1%

Base

490 gm (17 oz 4.5 dr)

1.58

55.5%

41.7%

2.8%

Note: It is probable that fuze AZ 38 and
booster Zdlg 40 are fitted. These are shown in
the accompanying sketch.